Luna's homecoming tour has taken her to every major city in Equestria. Every city but one. Lunangrad, the frozen sentinel of Equestria's forbidding north, and Luna's ancient sacred center.

Twilight, along for the ride, finds herself drawn inwards towards some horrible secret as the world she knows trembles before some great revelation. The Pilgrimage has begun.

Upon eavesdropping on a conversation between Rarity and Twilight Sparkle, Spike discovers what his "true love" really thinks of him, and after reminiscing on his thoughts about it, he slowly begins to drift away from his friends. With sorrow and despair in his heart, Spike runs away from home, and runs into an old enemy that tries to help him out.

However, after realizing what she has done, Rarity begins to realize and discover that she has feelings for Spike after all, but can she save him before it's too late?